Referring to the Swarnim Gujarat rally, which was flagged off from the university pavilion, Goyal said proper protocol was maintained during the event on

September 16, 2008.

Goyal further said: “When MSU Senate member Narendra Ravat approached the varsity, we were quite positive to welcome Rahul. However, senior Congress leaders considered the discussion enough for his visit to the campus, which needed some protocol to be followed.”

Responding to the claims made by Arjun Modhwadia, chief spokesperson of the state Congress, that there was political pressure, Goyal said, “There has never been any pressure from the government in my eight months with the MSU… The only issue was that of security and maintaining the code of conduct.”

He added: “In case of Swarnim Gujarat, special permission was taken from the police commissioner and the varsity authorities. But in case of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, we were given only 20 hours.”